April 10, 1954 – July 10, 2026
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marlene Claire Bond, who left this world surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
Marlene was the devoted and beloved wife of 46 years to her loving husband, Ernie, with whom she built a lifetime of cherished memories. She was the proud and loving mother of her only son, Derek (Stacey), who was truly the apple of her eye. Nothing brought her greater joy than being “Nan” to her precious grandchildren, Sadie and Alice, who filled her heart with endless love and laughter. She treasured her trips to the city to spend quality time with her family.
She is lovingly remembered by her sister, Marie Thompkins of Chéticamp; her sister-in-law, Sandra Ferguson of Arizona; and her cherished nieces and nephews, Margaret, Rosetta, John, Annie, Florence, Joey, Ian, and Basil. She was blessed with many lifelong friendships that meant the world to her and will be deeply missed by Jenny Keefe, Glenda Ferrier, Gretta and Buzz Roberts, Harry and Roseanne Delorey, Mary LeBlanc, Tiffany Albrecht, Susan McKeough, Gloria Dixon and Beverly Richard. She also shared a special bond with Hannah, Jessica, and her children, Abby and Callan, and found great joy in watching them grow.
She was predeceased by her beloved parents, Alice and Sylvester LeBlanc; her sisters, Elaine and Cheryl; her sisters-in-law, Margaret, Geneva, and Mandy; her nephew, Shawn; and her special friend, Renee.
Marlene grew up in Belle Cote, Cape Breton, and came to Canso in the late 1970s to pursue her passion for nursing. She began her career at the former Hazel Hill Nursing Home before moving to the Canso Seaside Manor, where she remained until her retirement. Marlene was a dedicated and compassionate caregiver who would go to the ends of the earth for her residents. Her kindness, unwavering work ethic, and genuine concern for others left a lasting impact on everyone she cared for.
She loved a good hockey game and rarely missed one, whether cheering from the stands or travelling to tournaments. She found peace in the outdoors and could often be found walking the Gully Trail, the Dover Boardwalk, or Durrell’s Island. Although she loved her home in Canso, she was a proud Cape Bretoner at heart and treasured every visit to Margaree to spend time with family and friends. Marlene also had a special love for animals and adored her beloved Sheltie companions, Lady and later Shawnee, who were always by her side on life’s adventures. She truly enjoyed getting lost in a good book and cherished the simple pleasure of feeling the warm sunshine on her face—many peaceful afternoon naps were enjoyed in its warmth.
Marlene will be remembered for her kind heart, gentle spirit, unwavering love for her family, and the warmth she shared with everyone fortunate enough to know her. Though our hearts are broken by her loss, we find comfort in the countless memories she leaves behind and in the love that will continue to live on in all of us.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Milburn, Dr. Dobek, Dr. Ranjini, and the staff of Guysborough Memorial Hospital and Eastern Memorial Hospital, as well as Pam Morrow and the Palliative Care team, for the compassionate care they provided during Marlene’s final days. We are especially grateful to Hannah, whose exceptional kindness and compassionate care as one of Marlene’s nurses, brought comfort, dignity, and peace to both Marlene and our family.
Visitation will take place Monday, July 13th from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Canso with a Funeral Mass to follow at 1 p.m. in Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Canso. Burial will take place at a later date.
Donations in Marlene’s memory may be made to Star of the Sea Parish or the Eastern Memorial Hospital Foundation.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.” — Emily Dickinson
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com
